Schools

Gov. Snyder Shares Secrets to Success with UCS Students

Gov. Rick Snyder addresses Utica Community School students Thursday.

told more than 1,000 sixth-grade Utica Community School students Thursday at a luncheon in Sterling Heights that he learns just as much from them as they do from him.

Even though Snyder, who was the keynote speaker at the UCS Career Focus luncheon at the Sterling Inn Banquet Center, did most of the talking, he left the students with a piece of advice: “You learn more when you're listening–not talking.”

And that’s what the students did during the second day of the luncheon. Danny Forster, of the children’s show Build it Bigger, was the keynote speaker Wednesday. Each table of students was partnered with a businessperson, and they asked the businessman or woman questions about their career choices, education and work-life balance.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“They asked some tough questions but good ones,” said Snyder, who was at a table with several children and the UCS Superintendent Christine Johns.

The students were told to make business cards and imagine their life at 28 years old and write an essay envisioning their life. Their life plans were detailed, from their day-to-day activities, career duties and even what kind of car they would be driving.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“They all come very well prepared. They spent a lot of time on their projects,” said Donald Bemis, the founder of Bemis Junior High School and the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence, one of the sponsors of the event.

“I think it's pretty fun because you’re meeting a lot of new people and you get to ask a lot of questions you don’t get the answer to when you’re researching the career,” said Hayley Bryce of DeKeyser Elementary School.

Students Take Snyder’s Remarks to Heart

“I think it’s very nice of him to come and talk to us and meet us,” said sixth-grade Havel Elementary School student Joshua Delavan.

The bright-eyed students, dressed in their finest clothes, cheered as Snyder was introduced after a buffet lunch.

“These kinds of events give kids a chance to understand what’s actually involved in a career,” said Snyder, who would know from experience, having worked in several career sectors before becoming Michigan’s 48th governor.

Snyder painted a picture of his career for the children and added some funny stories in between. He stressed that one career can spring you to another, and the life experiences that you gain at each will shape you.

The Battle Creek native started his career in 1982 as an accountant at Coopers and Lynbrand before he became a partner-in-charge of the mergers and acquisitions.

In 1991, he joined Gateway as executive vice president and was named president and chief operating officer in January 1996.

During that time, Snyder said his three young children were trying to figure out what he did, and this was their best answer: “Dad, you just go to meetings for a living,” he said, laughing.

Snyder said he had a chance to experience the world. He always carried 11 currencies in his pocket because he made three trips around the world every year.

Snyder left Gateway and started several venture capital firms in Michigan, where he helped several start-up companies get off the ground.

“I can tell you in terms of career choices, there are very few businesses that are harder than building a company from scratch,” he said.

Snyder, who was doing well in business, said he couldn’t ignore that the state was struggling and in crisis, and that’s when he decided to run for governor.

“I saw a lot of well-intentioned political people but I didn’t think they would take on the challenges of fixing Michigan,” he said.

Snyder said there are three main functions of his new job: passing laws, acting as the manager of state employees and the leader of the state.

In life, Snyder said you have to have a positive attitude and really enjoy your job.

He asked students to look at the glasses on their table.

“If you see it half empty, give it more thought. Being positive is absolutely critical to success.”

Elephant in the Room: School Budget Cuts

After the governor’s remarks, Snyder talked with reporters.

When asked if Snyder discussed the looming $19 million UCS budget shortfall with Johns during lunch, he said, “We didn’t get into district funding. It was a nice opportunity to just talk to the kids.”

In March, to protest Snyder’s proposed budget.

Snyder’s proposed budget would cut the district’s per-pupil funding rate by about $700 per student, which would translate into a $19 million deficit for the 2011-2012.

“School aid is a tough topic. We had a billion-and-a-half deficit. We had to cut the budget about 10 percent overall, and with schools we did a little more than 4 percent so it was less than half of what we had to do with the entire budget but its still tough,” Snyder said.

However, Snyder said there are no more projected budget cuts to the schools after 2013.

“We’re asking for sacrifices from people. “

The House passed a version of Snyder's bill Thursday night, that would cut 3.5% per student, while public universities would lose as much as 22%.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here